Enterprise or Alamo?

[PinkyGeekyDo]

We are flying into Tampa and renting a mini-van for our upcoming trip. I have a reservation with Enterprise and it's about $.75 cheaper than Alamo. We have free additional driver for both, main difference is on-site vs. shuttle. We've rented from both in the past locally, Enterprise wasn't brilliant but it wasn't horrible either. This is our first time flying/renting in Tampa so wondering what our best bet is!

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying into Tampa and renting a mini-van for our upcoming trip. I have a reservation with Enterprise and it's about $.75 cheaper than Alamo. We have free additional driver for both, main difference is on-site vs. shuttle. We've rented from both in the past locally, Enterprise wasn't brilliant but it wasn't horrible either. This is our first time flying/renting in Tampa so wondering what our best bet is!

I've had bad experiences with Enterprise. A coworker used them on a recent business trip and they gave us a Cobalt for an intermediate. I also used them for a rental after a car accident and someone lifted my credit card #.

 

[skelooch]

Isn't Enterprise the parent company of National/Alamo?

 

[skelooch]

Isn't Enterprise the parent company of National/Alamo?

Sorry for the double post, I would delete one but I don't know how, anyone?

 

[FoodLover]

Enterprise/Alamo/National are all the same company. However, their rentals are handled differently.

Top of the heap is National, which is the company's "business" brand. If you join National's Emerald Club, you can go straight out, pick your car, and check out at a booth on the way out.

Next best is Alamo, which is the company's "leisure" (vacation) brand. You can use a kiosk in the terminal (super easy, no line) to check in, and then go get a car in the garage. Or you can join the frequent rental program and (in Orlando, at least) go straight to the garage, pick your car and check out at the booth.

Enterprise is mainly for insurance rentals (when your car is in the shop) and low-end leisure rentals. I personally have had bad experiences with that brand -- dirty, dented cars, etc.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[deedeetoo]

I think they are trying to reposition Enterprise though I'm not sure how that affects the other two brands.

My company now has a corporate contract with Enterprise and I have rented from them twice in the past month at airport locations. The experience was very good both times. I was skeptical at first as I always thought of them as just doing insurance rentals, but it was just a normal airport rental experience.

 

[mmmgood]

Enterprise have got the highest rating for the last six years in the JD Powers airport car rental customer satisfaction study. Here is a link to the press release for the latest report:

http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2009193

Saying that I prefer Alamo. I like being able to select my vehicle and their self service options are very convenient.

In this case, being in terminal and saving $75 I would definitely go with Enterprise, especially if I had young kids with me. The Alamo shuttle at TPA is not bad but a shuttle with kids and luggage can be a pain. If going with Enterprise I recommend joining the free Enterprise Plus program. It can speed the rental process and they have a separate Enterprise Plus only line for check in.

 

[Disnydad]

.................... I have a reservation with Enterprise and it's about $.75 cheaper than Alamo. ..............

As you can see the OP stated it is a .75 difference. For that amount I'd use Alamo due to being able to pick your vehicle. For a $75
difference I'd use Enterprise.

 

[5boyz]

IF the previous poster is saying .75 cents cheaper I would be going with Alamo all the way. We rented from there in July at Tampa....checkin online and you just go to the garage and get your car...it's great!!

 

[PinkyGeekyDo]

The PP was right, it is a .75 cent difference!

I don't mind the shuttle, the kids can deal with it. I figure they're either going to be really excited (they don't know we're going) or total zombies since we have a 6:15am departure!

I think we'll go with Alamo, picking our own van seems like a good idea!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Enterprise have got the highest rating for the last six years in the JD Powers airport car rental customer satisfaction study. Here is a link to the press release for the latest report:

http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2009193

I think the only reason Enterprise gets such a high mark is they are avoiding counting all the local editions in their calculations. Enterprise has to be the worst when it comes to pick-up process at local editions, it's so time consuming from the walk around and marking every single scratch (and trust me you want to mark every scratch with them) to the press for insurance (and making you advise your insurance company upfront).

This study also doesn't take into consideration "member" based rentals like Hertz Gold, National EA or Exec, etc where benefits of having preassigned cars or being able to pick your car increases satisfaction.

 

[5boyz]

The PP was right, it is a .75 cent difference!

I don't mind the shuttle, the kids can deal with it. I figure they're either going to be really excited (they don't know we're going) or total zombies since we have a 6:15am departure!

I think we'll go with Alamo, picking our own van seems like a good idea!

I just did it in July. We flew into Tampa rented from Alalmo, took the car back to Car Care Center at WDW, they took us to the park and it was great...we continued our vacation. I rented from them 2 more times that trip...lol

 

[loveysbydesign]

We have onyl used Alamo and budget and out of those 2 we prefer Alamo!